What educators have to say about working with MindCatcher
MindCatcher cultivates the leadership capacity of educators to shift their practice from being educator- led to student-led utilizing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) competencies. To capture our impact, we have leaned on our greatest asset: the voice of the people we serve. Analyzing participant data collected over the 2017-2020 school years and our programmatic offerings shows that our impact has centered on three integral areas: Increased Educator Support; Shift in Mindset; Shift in Culture.
1. INCREASED EDUCATOR SUPPORT
Research has shown that educator attrition, often catalyzed by the connection between educator burnout and lack of support, is a significant impediment to quality education. Our work supports educators through authentic community-building that fosters belonging and collaboration and is championed by school administrators. Our data has shown greater educator engagement over time and a reported increased sense of efficacy in cultivating student-led learning environments.
In one school serving a high population of students furthest from opportunity, we have seen participation from educators of color more than double in three years. In the same timeframe, educator retention grew from 64% to 94%. Though there are many factors that contribute to educator retention, we view these data points as early indicators that our work has great potential to positively impact educator retention, an important component of effective teaching and learning, particularly in school settings where educator turnover is high. |
“As our relationship [with MindCatcher] increased over time, the number of people who had gone through that process increased.” ~School Administrator 
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2. SHIFT IN MINDSET
Schools who have participated in MindCatcher’s work experienced a significant shift in mindset. Administrators and educators reported positive alignment of educator values, beliefs, policies to key factors in student-led learning, namely student voice and agency.
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"The work with [MindCatcher] fulfills some things that are satisfying from my own childhood experiences with learning and as a teacher. I’ve grown to expand how I think about what student voice is and why it’s still important. I even have begun looking for evidence of student voice in my classroom observations.” ~School Administrator |
ANALYSIS
When asked if their instruction changed as a result of what they learned and observed through their professional learning communities, educators rated their work with MindCatcher at 3.35 out of 4. This result signals that there is both growth and growth potential in groups who engage with us over time. Understanding educators’ mindsets as a key lever for instituting change in educator practices, MindCatcher has positioned itself to cultivate adult social-emotional learning (SEL) that leads to meaningful collaboration with their educator peers and centers student voices in the learning environment.
When asked if their instruction changed as a result of what they learned and observed through their professional learning communities, educators rated their work with MindCatcher at 3.35 out of 4. This result signals that there is both growth and growth potential in groups who engage with us over time. Understanding educators’ mindsets as a key lever for instituting change in educator practices, MindCatcher has positioned itself to cultivate adult social-emotional learning (SEL) that leads to meaningful collaboration with their educator peers and centers student voices in the learning environment.
3. SHIFT IN CULTURE
With collective shifts in mindset, MindCatcher has effectively worked with educators to transform the culture of schools, ensuring that student voices are central in classroom and school-wide decision-making. Instead of focusing on “one-and-done” approaches, MindCatcher’s work helps ensure that educator practices that support student agency become institutionalized.
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“[Affinity] groups are used to allow us to unlock our collective genius and give increased opportunities for our experiences to be surfaced, validated, and discussed; [it] provides opportunities for us to explore our group’s identity and its impact at work (relationships and outcomes).” ~Middle School Educator |
ANALYSIS
Data has demonstrated increased connectivity among staff, initiating a standard for not only centering student voice but also valuing DEI competencies that foster educator engagement. When asked if our affinity group programming met their needs as learners, educators rated us 3.9 out of 4. We have also seen tremendous potential for educators to unpack deep issues around identity in ways that can mitigate implicit bias and cultivate greater understanding of how their identity impacts outcomes with students.
Data has demonstrated increased connectivity among staff, initiating a standard for not only centering student voice but also valuing DEI competencies that foster educator engagement. When asked if our affinity group programming met their needs as learners, educators rated us 3.9 out of 4. We have also seen tremendous potential for educators to unpack deep issues around identity in ways that can mitigate implicit bias and cultivate greater understanding of how their identity impacts outcomes with students.
UP NEXT
Given what our data has shown, MindCatcher will move toward the following to deepen our work and have greater impact:
• More Data-driven Programming: Systematize our data collection and analysis processes to build on past programming success and deepen our ability to reach organizational aims
• Focus on Educator Retention: Explore ways to definitively impact educator retention, particularly with educators of color
• More Adult SEL Programming: Develop more programming that builds adult capacity with SEL competencies in order to drive student outcomes, as well as educator success and well-being
Given what our data has shown, MindCatcher will move toward the following to deepen our work and have greater impact:
• More Data-driven Programming: Systematize our data collection and analysis processes to build on past programming success and deepen our ability to reach organizational aims
• Focus on Educator Retention: Explore ways to definitively impact educator retention, particularly with educators of color
• More Adult SEL Programming: Develop more programming that builds adult capacity with SEL competencies in order to drive student outcomes, as well as educator success and well-being
